Portable load-handling device with winch

ABSTRACT

A portable, manually operated winch fabricated of weldedtogether steel tubing and channel members for economy of manufacture, and comprising wheeled, relatively adjustable and detachable front and rear frame assemblies, the front frame assembly of which has a relatively adjustable and detachable boom subassembly and the rear frame assembly of which has a relatively adjustably and detachable extension support member subassembly. A manually operated crank, ratchet wheel and drum mechanism is provided on the rear frame assembly for controlling a boomlifting cable.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Mohammed S. Gof

89 l-laledon Ave., Paterson, NJ. 07522 [2l] Appl. No. 800,172 [22] Filed Feb. 18, 1969 [45] Patented May 11, 1971 [54] PORTABLE LOAD-HANDLING DEVICE WITH WINCH 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 254/ 139.1 [51] Int. Cl [50] FieldofSearch 254/l39.1, 142, 143, l45;280/34, 150 (C) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 353,373 11/1886 Newton et al 280/34 572,244 12/ l 896 Chazotte 254/143 1,614,697 l/1927 Shook 254/l39.l

2,767,995 10/1956 Stout 280/150(C) FOREIGN PATENTS 749,426 5/1933 France 254/142 Primary Examiner-l-larvey C. Homsby 6 Assistant ExaminerAlfred N. Goodman Att0rney.lames J. Cannon ABSTRACT: A portable, manually operated winch fabricated of welded-together steel tubing and channel members for economy of manufacture, and comprising wheeled, relatively adjustable and detachable front and rear frame assemblies, the front frame assembly of which has a relatively adjustable and detachable boom subassembly and the rear frame assembly of which has a relatively adjustably and detachable extension support member subassembly. A manually operated crank, ratchet wheel and drum mechanism is provided on the rear frame assembly for controlling a boom-lifting cable.

Patented Ma 11, 1971 v 3,578,290

3 Sheets-6M I INVENTOR. MUHHMMED 5. 60F

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. MOHHMMED 5. GOF

ATTORNEY PORTABLE LOAD-HANDLING DEVICE WITH WINCH This invention relates to manually operated winches and is directed particularly to improvements in such winches with respect to their strength, portability and economy of manufacture.

i Various types of portable, manually operated winches have heretofore been devised for use in lifting heavy materials in building construction, for lifting and moving heavy objects such as refrigerators etc., and for garageuse in lifting and placing heavy engines and the like. Such winches heretofore known, however, are deficient in various respects, principally because of their high cost and their bulkiness, which makes it difficult' to move them from job to job.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide a new and improved manually operated winch which can be manufactured of simple and inexpensive stock metal parts, and which can readily be disassembled for compact storage or easy transportation from job to job.

Another object is to provide a manually operated winch of the above nature which can readily be adjusted over -a wide range with respect to height and width for adaptation to a great variety of different usages.

A more particular object is to provide a manually operated winch which can be made for the most part of welded-together tubular and channel-shaped stock steel members for strength and economy, and which comprises relatively adjustable and detachable front and rear frame assemblies, the front frame assembly of which has a relatively adjustable and detachable boom assembly and the rear frame assembly of which has a relatively adjustable and detachable extension support member.

Other objects features and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. in the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 illustrates, in side elevation and with portions broken away a manually operated winch embodying the invention;

FlG. 2 is a front elevational view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the winch;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the rear portion of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, numeral in FIG. 1 designates, in general, a preferred form of manually operated winch embodying the invention, the same being comprised of a front frame assembly 11, a rear frame assembly 12, an adjustable, interconnecting rail assembly 13, a ratchet mechanism 14 supported on the rail assembly 13, a horizontally and forwardly extending boom assembly 15 fonning part of the front frame assembly 11 and a lifting cable 16. Referring now to H08. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and considering in detail the construction of the front frame assembly 11, the same comprises a front transverse support member 17, which may be of channel form andwhich terminates in opposed, cylindrical axial end members l8, l9 journaled upon which are respective front wheels 20, 21. Fixed, as by welding, at

each side of the front transverse channel member 17, just inside of the axial end members thereof, are the lower ends of upwardly extending convergent brace members 22, 23 carry- The cylindrical sleeve 24 is in vertical alignment with a cylindrical recess 25 centrally arranged in the front transverse channel member, the interior diameter of said cylindrical sleeve and said cylindrical recess being the same so as to accommodate. removably supported therein, a tubular post member 26. Telescopingly received within the tubular post member 26 is an extension rod member 27, the vertical height of which can be adjusted by means of an abutment collar 28 circumjacently arranged on said extension rod member and fixed in adjusted position thereon by means of locking screws member. The upper end of the extension rod member 27 car? ries a horizontal, forwardly extending rectangular guide tube 30, slidably received within which is an inverted channel member 3l within each end of which is journaled a pulley wheel 32. The forward end of the channel member 31 projects forwardly of the rectangular guide tube 30 and carries on its forwardly extending end a U-shaped hanger 33 secured in place by a bolt 34. The underside of the hanger 33 carries a hook 35 for temporarily supporting materials, as is hereinafter more particularly described. A brace bar 37 secured at an angle between the forwardly projecting portion of the rectangular guide tube 30 and the extension rod member 27 enhances the structural rigidity of the assembly.

' Referring now to PK]. 3 of the drawings, as well as to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the rear frame assembly l2, similarily to the front frame assembly 1 1, comprises a rear transverse channel member 38 projecting from the outer ends of which are opposed, cylindrical axle end members 39, 40, respectively, carrying wheels'4l, 42. Since the front wheels 20, 21 will carry the greater part -of any load being lifted by the winch mechanism, the rear wheels 41, 42may be of substantially lighter construction than that of said front wheels, as illustrated. Convergent brace members 43, 44 have their lower ends fixed, as by welding, to respective outer end portions of the transverse channel member 38, just inside the'axle end portions thereof, and extend upwardly and convergently to carry between the upper ends thereof a cylindrical sleeve member 45. The cylindrical sleeve member 45 is in vertical alignment with a cylindrical recess 46 centrally provided in the rear transverse channel member 38, and the internal diameters of said cylindrical sleeve and-said cylindrical recess are the same so as to receive, removably fitted therein, a tubular post member 49. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cylindrical sleeve 45 is integrally formed with a rearwardly extending lug 47 provided with a transversely extending through opening 48 for attachment thereto of a cable (not illustrated) for the purpose either of securing the winch or moving it from place to place.

Means is provided for vertically adjustably positioning an extension rod member 50 in the tubular post member 49, to which end said extension rod member has circumjacently arranged thereon an abutment collar 51 provided with lock screws 52 for adjustably fixing said abutment collar along said extension rod member.

Welded or otherwise fixed to the upper end of the, extension rod member 50 is a horizontally extending, angular support member 53, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Means is provided for adjustably securing the front frame assembly ll and the rear frame assembly 12 in horizontally spaced relation, to which end said rear frame assembly 12 is provided with a forwardly extending, rectangular, tubular horizontal support member 54 welded or otherwise secured at its rearward end to the cylindrical sleeve member 45 of said rear frame assembly. The front frame assembly 11 is provided with a rearwardly extending support channel 55 fixed to and extending rearwardly of the cylindrical sleeve 24 of said front frame assembly and receivable in embracing relation within the horizontal rectangular tubular member 54. Equidistantly spaced, matching through opening 56, 57 provided in the rectangular tubular member 54 and the support channel 55 serve as means for interlocking said support members in adjusted position by use of a tubular collar 58 circumjacent and slidable along the tubular member 54 and having vertically aligned openings alignable with the selected ones of the aperture pairs 56, 57 for the reception of a removable lock bolt or pin 59.

Manually operated crank means is provided for raising and lowering the hook 35 by controlling the pull on the cable 16. To this end, the tubular horizontal support members 54, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, has welded or otherwise affixed along one side thereof a support plate 60 journaling a pin 61 carrying a ratchet wheel 62 at the outside, and a winding drum 63 at the 29, 29 received in opposed threaded openings in said collar inside to which the inner end of the cable 16.is attached. A

ratchet pawl 64 swingably attached to the outside of the support plate 60 cooperatively engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 62 to prevent retrograde rotation when lifting a load. Pinion gears 65, 66 journaled at each side of the ratchet gearwheel and in mesh therewith carry cranks 67 and 68, respectively, by means of which said ratchet wheel can be manually turned for winding and unwinding the cable I6.

In use, the front extension rod member 27 will be adjusted to the correct height for the lifting job being undertaken, and the rear extension rod member 50 will be raised into abutment with the ceiling of the porch or other enclosure within which the winch is being used to fix it in place and prevent tipping, especially when lifting heavy loads. Release of the cable, with or without a load, can readily be accomplished by lifting the pawl 64 out of engagement with a ratchet wheel 62 and controlling the unwinding by holding back on the cranks 67, 68.

FIGS. 4 and illustrated in modification of the winch which described above. It will be understood, however, that the greater strength of the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5,

results in a stronger mechanism better adapted for use in moving refrigerators and the like heavy and bulky objects, and for loading trucks, lifting engines out of automobiles and trucks, lifting shingle bundles and the like up to roofs, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from that of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 described above in that in the front frame assembly lIa, the front transverse support member 17a is of rectangular tubing so as to telescopingly receive, at each end, extensible leg members 70, 70, also in the form of rectangular tubes, which are adjustably fixed in place by bolts 71 receivable through vertical openings 72 in the outer ends of said transverse support member and selected ones of trans verse openings 73 in said leg members. The outer ends of the leg members 70, 70 are fitted with castor wheels 74, and, for

greater strength, the underside of the transverse support member 17a is provided with an additional castor wheel 75 centrally disposed therealong.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cable winch mechanism differs from that of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. I in that it is rigidly supported within the upper angular zone defined by the horizontal support member 54a and the rear frame assembly 12a. As illustrated in FIG. 5 the rear frame assembly comprises a pair of laterally spaced uprights 76, 77 held in such spaced relation by upper and lower transverse members 78, 79. Lower transverse member 79 is provided at its outer ends with castor wheels 80 (only one illustrated). Upper and lower cylindrical sleeve members 81, 82 secured against central rear portions of the upper and lower transverse members 78, 79, are adapted to receive a tubular post member 83, corresponding with the tubular post member 49 of the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. I. The inner end of the horizontal support member 54a is welded to an intermediate transverse member 84 welded between the laterally spaced uprights 76, 77. Inclined brace members 85 extend between the outer ends of the upper transverse member 78 and the transverse member 86 transversely welded upon the horizontal support member 540 at a position somewhat inwardly spaced from its outer end, define a triangular enclosure for the winch mechanism. As illustrated in FIG. 5, support bars 87 (only one shown) welded between the inclined brace members 85 and the laterally spaced uprights 76, 77 support opposed bearing blocks 88 journaling a shaft 89 carrying ratchet wheel and winding drum assembly 90. A pawl 91 carrier by a bracket 92 is cooperatively arranged with the ratchet wheel 90, and the crank and gear 93 arranged for manual turning of the ratchet wheel, complete the winch assembly.

Use of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and Sis similar to that of the embodiment in FIGS. I, 2 and 3 and the lateral adjustability of its front legs, results in greater stability and load capacity.

While I have illustrated and described herein only two forms in which the invention can conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to be understood that these forms are given by way of example only and notin a limiting sense. The invention, in brief, comprises all the embodiments and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

I claim:

I. A winch and portable load-handling device comprising, in combination, a vertically extending front frame a sembly, a vertically extending rear frame assembly, interconnection rail means for securing said front and rear frame assemblies in spaced, parallel relation, a boom assembly, means for securing said boom assembly in vertically adjusted position with respect to said front frame assembly, a lifting cable, pulley means on said boom assembly and carrying the outer end of said cable, a winding drum fixed with respect to said interconnecting rail means, a ratchet wheel cooperating with said winding drum, crank mechanism for turning said drum, the other end of said cable being attached to said drum and a pawl cooperatively engageable with said ratchet wheel to prevent retrograde movement of said winding cable drum, an elongated extension support member and means for securing said extension support member in vertically adjusted position with respect to said rear frame assembly, a first pair of wheels journaled at the lower end of said rear frame assembly, means wherein the lower end of said front frame assembly comprises a front transverse support member, wherein said rear frame assembly comprises a rear transverse support member, and wherein said wheels are joumaled at the outer ends of said transverse support members, a front transverse support member comprising a fixed tubular member and a pair of extensible leg members telescopingly received, one each, in the ends of said fixed tubular member, said first pair of wheels being secured at the outer ends of said extensible leg members, said frame assemblies interconnecting means comprising a first elongated member fixed to and extending rearwardly of said front frame assembly, and a second elongated member fixed to and extending forwardly of said rear frame assembly,

the outer ends of said first and second elongated members being slidingly interfitted in telescoping fashion, and means for securing said first and second elongated members in adjusted position, said means for securing said boom assembly in vertically adjusted position comprising a cylindrical sleeve in vertically spaced alignment with a relatively lower cylindrical recess, and a pair of locking screws threaded in laterally opposed openings in said sleeve and adapted to engage said boom assembly.

2. A winch and portable load-handling device as defined in claim I including a third wheel fixed to the underside of said front transverse support member at a central position therealong.

3. A winch and portable load-handling device as defined in claim 1 including an elongated extension support member and means for securing said extension support member in vertically adjusted position with respect to said rear frame assembly, said extension support member securing means comprising a second cylindrical sleeve in vertically spaced alignment with a relatively lower second cylindrical recess and a pair of locking screws threaded in laterally opposed openings in said second sleeve and adapted to engage said extension support member. 

1. A winch and portable load-handling device comprising, in combination, a vertically extending front frame assembly, a vertically extending rear frame assembly, interconnection rail means for securing said front and rear frame assemblies in spaced, parallel relation, a boom assembly, means for securing said boom assembly in vertically adjusted position with respect to said front frame assembly, a lifting cable, pulley means on said boom assembly and carrying the outer end of said cable, a winding drum fixed with respect to said interconnecting rail means, a ratchet wheel cooperating with said winding drum, crank mechanism for turning said drum, the other end of said cable being attached to said drum and a pawl cooperatively engageable with said ratchet wheel to prevent retrograde movement of said winding cable drum, an elongated extension support member and means for securing said extension support member in vertically adjusted position with respect to said rear frame assembly, a first pair of wheels journaled at the lower end of said rear frame assembly, means wherein the lower end of said front frame assembly comprises a front transverse support member, wherein said rear frame assembly comprises a rear transverse support member, and wherein said wheels are journaled at the outer ends of said transverse support members, a front transverse support member comprising a fixed tubular member and a pair of extensible leg members telescopingly received, one each, in the ends of said fixed tubular member, said first pair of wheels being secured at the outer ends of said extensible leg members, said frame assemblies interconnecting means comprising a first elongated member fixed to and extending rearwardly of said front frame assembly, and a second elongated member fixed to and extending forwardly of said rear frame assembly, the outer ends of said first and second elongated members being slidingly interfitted in telescoping fashion, and means for securing said first And second elongated members in adjusted position, said means for securing said boom assembly in vertically adjusted position comprising a cylindrical sleeve in vertically spaced alignment with a relatively lower cylindrical recess, and a pair of locking screws threaded in laterally opposed openings in said sleeve and adapted to engage said boom assembly.
 2. A winch and portable load-handling device as defined in claim 1 including a third wheel fixed to the underside of said front transverse support member at a central position therealong.
 3. A winch and portable load-handling device as defined in claim 1 including an elongated extension support member and means for securing said extension support member in vertically adjusted position with respect to said rear frame assembly, said extension support member securing means comprising a second cylindrical sleeve in vertically spaced alignment with a relatively lower second cylindrical recess and a pair of locking screws threaded in laterally opposed openings in said second sleeve and adapted to engage said extension support member. 